Join us for an incredibly meaningful conversation with Tryfon Stathopoulos, a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the owner and head instructor of North Bay Jiu Jitsu in Novato, California—my home academy and a place that has been truly life-changing for me.

Tryfon has been among the most influential people in my Jiu-Jitsu journey and personal development. His leadership, guidance, and the incredible environment he’s created at North Bay Jiu Jitsu have shaped me both on and off the mat. This academy and its dedicated staff mean the world to me, providing not just a place to train but a community that has helped me grow in ways I could never have imagined.

In this interview, Tryfon shares his journey from starting martial arts training in 2000 to becoming a full-time instructor and competitor. He discusses the challenges and rewards of running a successful academy, his passion for teaching, and his commitment to spreading the healthy and rewarding Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle within his community.

We also dive into his impressive competitive achievements, including medals at the IBJJF World Championships and Pan American Championships, and explore his philosophy on training, competition, and personal growth through martial arts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the most impactful instructors in the North Bay area and someone who has profoundly influenced my journey.

Links:

⁠https://www.northbayjiujitsu.com/⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/northbayjiujitsu/

Filming by Serani Agency https://www.seraniagency.com/

Editing by Monks Media Works https://www.monksmedia.works/

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In this solo episode, Adolfo Foronda reflects on the past and future of Jiu-Jitsu, discussing trends for 2024, including the rise of the Craig Jones Invitational, the impact of economic factors, subscription fatigue, and the role of AI in training. He also shares personal insights on recovery innovations, the influence of podcasting, and the ongoing drama within the Jiu-Jitsu community while contemplating the sport's future growth and challenges.

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#brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #grappling #bjj

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Alan Titone, a multifaceted individual whose journey spans over two decades in corporate America, a distinguished tenure as an international yoga instructor, and a dedicated role as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and academy owner. Alan is the co-founder of Karma Jiu Jitsu, a newly opened academy that reflects his deep passion for Jiu-Jitsu and community-building, which he has established as a purple belt.

Alan's commitment to personal growth and wellness is evident through his ventures, including co-founding Breathe Social, an initiative that seamlessly integrates yoga, breathwork, and cold exposure to promote holistic well-being. 

Beyond his professional endeavors, Alan is a U.S. Army veteran and an accomplished adventurer, having summited some of the tallest peaks in the contiguous United States and, in 2024, reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

In our conversation, Alan delves into his transition from a former corporate career to a life dedicated to coaching and teaching. He shares insights into the importance of accountability, the transformative power of yoga, and the life lessons gleaned from his experiences on and off the mat.

Join us as we uncover the inspiring story of Alan Titone, a true embodiment of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of one's passions.

Links:

Today, we’re thrilled to have Jake O’Driscoll join us on the show. Jake is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head coach at Essence BJJ in Perth, Australia. Beyond his impressive competitive accolades, Jake is best known as the coach of double ADCC gold medalist and friend of the show, Adele Fornarino.

In this episode, Jake takes us through his inspiring journey in Jiu-Jitsu, sharing how his family shaped his path and the lessons he’s learned about balancing life and coaching. He dives deep into his coaching philosophy, offering insights on the importance of professionalism, mental preparation, and fostering a strong training environment.

Jake also shares his perspective on the differences between Gi and No-Gi, the evolving landscape of Jiu-Jitsu, and the challenges faced by young athletes in the sport. With his experience coaching world-class athletes and ADCC medalists, Jake’s wisdom and passion for the art make this a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Links:

https://linktr.ee/essencebjj

https://www.instagram.com/jakeod_essencebjj

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In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Rick Ellis, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Roy Dean and the visionary behind the 'The Art of Skill' platform. Rick shares profound insights into Jiu-Jitsu through his popular YouTube channel and website, featuring some of the world's top instructors. Based in San Diego, he offers online courses, and personalized training sessions, and leads seminars and camps domestically and internationally. In this episode, we delve into Rick's journey in martial arts, his philosophy on teaching, and the creation of 'The Art of Skill'. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Jiu-Jitsu, Rick's experiences and perspectives will inspire and inform.

Links:

theartofskill.com

rickellis.com

@artofskillhq

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In this episode of Forever White Belt, host Adolfo Foronda interviews Robert Donofrio, a black belt under Rob Kahn and owner of Gracie Brandon in Florida. They discuss Robert's journey in Jiu-Jitsu, the keys to building a successful academy, and the sense of community he has fostered. The conversation covers the unique amenities of his academy, the challenges faced in the martial arts business, and the importance of content creation in promoting Jiu-Jitsu. Robert shares insights on training, personal growth, and reflections on his experiences as a gym owner.

links:

IG https://www.instagram.com/robbydjitsu83/

Gracie Brandon https://graciebrandon.com/

Blue Belt Bible https://robbydonofriojiujitsu.com/

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In this episode, we have the return of Priit Mihkelson. Priit is an Estonian Black Belt, he is one of the preeminent thinkers of defensive Jiu Jitsu and he travels the world as a highly sought-after instructor.

You will hear us using terms, like Hawking, Panda, Running Man, Grilled Chicken, Seal Feet, and more with the expectation that you have at least a familiarity with what those are. We discuss his new gym, how his adoption of the ecological approach is going, his thoughts on the various tournaments and so much more. We also allude to Priit's current family situation as his child is fighting through a serious illness. Please take a moment to send some positive energy his way.

Links:

@priit_mihkelson

@defensivebjj

@estum.jiujitsu

https://www.etsy.com/shop/dedicatedgrappler/

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#bjjlife #bjjlifestyle #bjj4life #jiujitsulife #jiujitsulifestyle #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu4life #artesuave #jiujitsu #bjjforlife #grappling #jiujitsuforeveryone #bjj #bjjglobetrotters #thatpriitshit

In this episode, we have, Keelan Lawyer. Keelan is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Brandon McCaghren at 10th Planet Decatur in Alabama. As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of Brandon’s work and consider him one of the best instructors in the game today. Keelan, or as Brandon likes to call him 'Conscious Keelan,' has played a crucial role behind the scenes, helping elevate Brandon's fantastic content.

In addition to being responsible for much of the initial filming at 10P Decatur, Keelan is the founder of Subconscious Studios, his media company, and a partner in the PGF (Professional Grappling Federation), alongside Zoltan Bathory from the band Five Finger Death Punch, Heather Grace Gracie, and he is their Director of Technology.

In this conversation, Keelan and I explore his journey in Jiu-Jitsu, the evolution of 10th Planet Decatur, and the community that Brandon and Lindsay McCaghren have cultivated. We dive into Keelan's path to black belt, his balance between documenting and creating content, and how he's working to expand jiu-jitsu's reach. We also discuss his role in the PGF and how they've successfully adapted a unique format, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Finally, we look at the future of jiu-jitsu, including its potential to evolve into a professional sport, complete with scholarships and professional leagues.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/consciouskeelan/

https://www.pgf.world/

https://www.instagram.com/subconscious.studios/

https://www.instagram.com/pgfworld/

https://decaturbrazilianjiujitsu.com/

In this episode, we've got an incredible guest joining us, none other than, Adele Fornarino, the 2024 ADCC double gold champion. Adele has taken the world of grappling by storm, making history as the first Australian to win ADCC and the first to take the open class title. She’s a jiu-jitsu black belt under David Hart of Team Dominance MMA, and she’s been an unstoppable force since 2022 when she won the IBJJF World No-Gi title as a brown belt and dominated the Oceania & Asia ADCC Qualifiers.

Adele has trained with some of the best in the game, including Andre Galvao representing the team at ATOS HQ. She's also trained with Lachlan Giles and the team at Absolute MMA and more. Today, we’ll dive into her journey, how she’s processed her incredible achievements, and what’s next for this groundbreaking athlete.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/adelefornarino/

https://linktr.ee/daddy.adele.bjj

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In this episode, we bring you an incredible interview with none other than Jonathan Satava. Jon is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia, part of the golden generation of grapplers from Garcia’s New York academy. Regarded as one of the top prospects in the 82kg (181lbs) weight class, Jon has achieved remarkable victories at the Worlds, Pan American Championships, and World Pro in the lower belt divisions. He solidified his reputation at the black belt level with a double gold performance at the No-Gi Pan American, back-to-back silver medals at the No-Gi World Championships, a 3rd place finish at the Abu Dhabi World Pro, and winning the North American ADCC Trials.

Beyond his impressive competition record, Jon has been a dedicated instructor at the Marcelo Garcia Academy in NYC, taught seminars worldwide, and been featured in numerous jiu-jitsu magazines and instructional content. Now, he shares his 15+ years of knowledge, experience, and passion for the gentle art at Peak Jiu-Jitsu in both League City, Texas, and Patchogue, NY. His instructionals are highly sought after on major platforms.

I'm so honored to have Jon on the show, he truly straddles the worlds of traditional and modern Jiu-Jitsu. I greatly appreciate Jon's transparency and heart-wrenching honesty, it's truly courageous of him to say things so many others have been thinking and feeling. He's a remarkable individual and someone I'm truly honored to have had a conversation with. I hope this is the first of many.